Composite metallic fabric



June 23, 1931. R HARTWELL 1,811,081

COMPOS ITE METALLIC FABRIC Filed Dec. 8, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet l June 23, 1931. R. L. HARTWELL 1,811,081

COMPOSITE METALLIC FABRIC Filed Dec'. 8, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR RHLF L. H/IRTWELL ATTORNEY Patented June 23,1931

UNITED STATES; PATENTOFFICE BALI L. ORANGE, NEW JERSEY, LSSIGNOIR "1.0 METAL TEXTILE COB- PORATION, 0] WEST ORANGE, NEW JERSEY, A. CORPORATION OF RHODEiSLAND v COMPOSITE METALLIC FABRIC Application fled members, 1928. Serial No. 324,688.

.This invention relates, generally, to improvements in fabrics; and the invention has reference, more particularly, to a novel type of fabric which is so constructed that when I the same is bent or deformed into desired shapes it will remain in such shapes when the deforming forces are removed.

One of the ob'ects of the invention is to provide a fabric of the above character which possesses relativel great and uniform strength and which is highly resistant to wear and abrasion.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of a fabric of the above character wherein the various strands are thoroughly bonded together so-that there is no relative motion between the strands which would result in wear.

Still another object of the invention is to rovide a fabric of the above character that 1s so constructed that it will not fray out at the side edges even when a selvage edge is not employed and which nevertheless is well adapted to have selvage edges when desired. In carrying out the invention, continuous composite weft threads, which are preferably looped at the sides of the fabric, are adapted to be knittedor interwoven with suitable fibre warp threads. weft threads are preferably composed of a plurality of strands of metallic material and fibre material arranged in superimposed relation, such that when the fabric is viewed from one side the metallic strands are not seen whereas when viewed from the other side these metallic strands or threads are seen. The loops 'of the composite weft threads formed at the sides of the fabric prevent the fraying of warp threads and add to the strength of the fabric. When the fabric is deformed so as to effect the bending of the metallic weft threads, the rigidity and strength of these threads act to retain the fabric in its deformed shape after the de-' forming forces are removed. 1 Y

Other objects of this invention, not at this time more particularly enumerated, will be clearly understood from the following detailed description of the same.

.what similar to that shown in Fig. 7.

The composite accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a plan view of the novel fabric of this invention looking at one surface thereof; I

Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail view of a portion of the structure shown in Fig. 1

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, but looking at the opposite side of the fabric; 7

Fig. 4. is a view similar to Fig. 2, but illustrating a modified form of the invention;

Fi 5 is a view of the fabric bent into form sulta le for some uses and having a wide selvage edge;

Fig. 6 illustrates the use of the fabric as weather-stripping for windows;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary plan view of a modified form of the fabric; and Fig. 8 is an edge view of the fabric some- The invention is clearly illustrated in the Similar characters of reference are employed in all of the hereinabove described views, to indicate corresponding parts.

- Referring now to Figs. 1 to 3 of said drawings, the reference character 1 designates the novel fabric of this invention as a whole. Fabric 1 is built up of fibre warp threads 12 such as vegetable or animal fibre threads and the combination of continuous metallic threads 13 and continuous fibre threads, 14 forming composite weft threads. The weftv threads 13 and 14 forming the composite weft thread are looped at the sides of the fabric 1 as at 15. The warp threads 12 are'illustrated as attached to the weft threads 13 and 14 by use of the chain stitch but it is to be understood that any other form of knitting hidden-from view giving the fabric the ordinaryhomogeneous appearance of a knit, or woven vegetable or animal fibre thread'fabric. However, the otherside of the fabric shows the metallic weft threads crossedby 1o;

ric 1 qualities while not apprecia l lessening the flexibility of the fabric when t e same is bent understood that they may have any other desired cross-section such as square or rectangular. Two continuous metallic weft threads and two continuous fibre weft threads are illustrated in the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 3 but fewer or eater number of such weft threads may e employed if desired. For example, in Fig. 4 the fabric 1 is shown as havin but a single metallic weft thread 13 positioned alongside a single fibre thread 14. v

The metallic weft threads 13 gives the fabeat transverse stren th and wearing or folded transversely of its width. When the fabric is bent so as to cause the bending of the metallic weft threads, these threads act by their stiffness and rigidity to retain the fabric in the form into which it is bent, which renders the fabric of this invention highly desirable for a plurality of uses, such as weather-stripping, welts, gimps, bindings, etc. The knitting or weaving of the metallic strands into the body of the fabric secures a rigid bond between the fibre and metal strands and prevents relative movement of the different strands as well as any tendency for the fibre strands to fray off. Also, the use of continuous weft strands with the loops 15 at the sides of the fabric positively prevents fraying of the warp threads at the sides of the fabric. If desired, a selvage edge of any thickness may be attached to the sides of the fabric. This is illustrated especially in Fig. 5, wherein rather wide selvage edges 16 are formed at the sides of the fabric 10. The fabric 10 in this fi re is illustrated as bent angularly across t e metallic weft threads which act by their stiffness to retain the fabric in its angularly bent form. Since these metallic threads constitute a portion of each weft element of the fabric, they 've the fabric a uniform strength 'throug out its area thereby enabling it to resist wear and abrasions uniformly without the possibility of failure at certain spots.

In Fig. 6 the novel fabric of this invention is shown as employed as a weather-strip 17 for a window 18. Here the great strength, uniform wearing qualities and ability to retain a desired shape possessed by the novel fabric of this invention is particularly noticeable. Inasmuch as the loops 15 prevent the fraying out of the warp threads, there is no need for a selvage edge in connection with the fabric of this invention. Also, inasmuch as the metallic threads cannot be seen with the fabric arranged as shown in Fig. 3, the weather-strip 17 presents a neat and attractive appearance.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Fig. 7, the warp and weft threads of the fabric are illustrated as interwoven in the ordinary manner. The warp threads 19, however, are shown as arran ed in spaced groups varying in numbers 0 threads, thereby illustrating how various pattern effects may be obtained. If desired the fibre weft threads ma be omitted. In Fig. 8 the fibre weft threa s 14 are shown in superimposed relation with the metallic weft threads 13 and the warp threads 19 are arranged in groups having similar numbers of threads.

It is to be. understood that varying numbers of fibre weft threads may be combined with one 'or-more metallic weft threads in forming the weft, of the fabric. Thus, three.

or more fibre weft threads may be combined with one or more metallic weft strands.

As many changes could be made in the above construction and many apparently widely different embodiments of this inventioncould be made without departin from the scope thereof, it is intended that 151 matter containedin the above, description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. a W

What is claimed is 1. A fabric comprising a body composed of fibre wa threads and continuous metallic and fi re weft threads arranged in superimposed substantially parallel relation said metallic constituent of said weft threa serving to stiffen said fabric transversel uniformly throughout the area thereo whereby said fabric-is caused to be readily flexible abouttransverse axes assing therethrough and is relatively about longitudinal axes passing therethrough.

2. .A fabric comprising a body composed of spaced fibre war threads and spaced composite weft thre s consisting of metallic threads and complementary fibre threads, said metallic threads extending in straight lines across said fabric with said complementary fibre threads in overlying relation therewith, whereb said metallic threads are substantially hid en from view when said fabric is viewed from its finished surface;

3. A fabric comprising a body composed of spaced fibre war threads and spaced composite weft threa s consisting of metallic threads and complementary fibre threads overlying said metallic threads, said composite weft threads being looped at the sides of said fabric, said com lementary fibre threads serving to obscure sald metallic threads when said fabric is viewed from one face thereof.

4. A fabric comprising a body composed of spaced fibre war threads and spaced composite weft threa s consisting of metallic threads and fibre threads extending sub. .;an-

tially parallel across said fabric and being looped at the sides of said fabr'c said fabric, when deformed so as to bend said metallic threads, acting to retain its deformed shape, said fabric being easily flexible at right angles to the length of said metallic weft threads since said fibre warp threads are relatively flexible.

In testimony, that I claim the invention set forth above I have hereunto set my hand this 7th day of December, 1928.

' RALF L. HARTWELL. 

